Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.

Kate Evans teaches fourth grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.

To Griffin, Kate has always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…

My Review:

Shalvis never fails to make me laugh while creating romance that lasts. This return to her Animal Magnetism series captured me heart and soul. The picturesque scenery that she creates for the area is the perfect backdrop for this emotional, at times turbulent, story that really packs a punch.

Since we first met Griffin and Kate they’ve both called to me in different ways. Kate’s the kind of girl that I find easy to relate to. I can understand being shy, staying at home, and having way too much on your plate. Completely the opposite, Griffin’s the outgoing hero that many a gal drools over. Yet we also get hints at the emotions underneath. Not only did I enjoy getting to know these two better, their personalities really drew me in, but I also loved them as a couple. They’re so real without being too perfect.

All in all, this was a compelling, heartfelt novel that I didn’t want to put down. Shalvis has really created a winner here.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Rumor Has It and the Lucky Harbor series comes the story of a woman whose world is turned upside down by one night's torrid fling...

Veterinary intern Emily can’t believe she wound up in the small town of Sunshine, Idaho, instead of the Los Angeles clinic she had always imagined. Now she has to put her plans to move to L.A. on hold for a whole year while she fulfills the obligation of her vet school scholarship.

Then Wyatt, her gorgeous one-night stand from a Reno vet conference, introduces himself as her new boss. And Emily is just as drawn to his seductive looks and quiet strength as she was on that very steamy night. She soon learns that Wyatt isn’t just a laid-back doctor, but a delicious alpha male tempting her away from her carefully laid-out plans...

My Review:

Hot guys who love animals: How can you go wrong? I thoroughly enjoyed this return to Shalvis’ Animal Magnetism series where people matter and animals are simply a part of life. Her vivid descriptions and eloquent writing serve to bring the story to life in an unmistakably real manner. This heartfelt story held my attention from cover to cover without a moment’s pause.

Shalvis writes the type of characters that you find yourself giving advice to. They had me groaning at their obliviousness to certain aspects of life while being brilliant in others. It was so much fun. I love how these two build a relationship that will last, rather than a whirlwind romance. Seeing them both come to grips with their new reality and accepting the changes that they both had to make was so real.